- Must visit
Tampa Museum of Art
Modern and classical art museum on the Riverwalk, known for its contemporary exhibitions and prominent downtown setting.
Cheapest price
$7
Average price
$7
Fastest journey
30 m
Average duration
49 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
29 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from St. Petersburg, FL to Tampa, FL is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from St. Petersburg, FL to Tampa, FL will cost around $7 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $7.
Of the 5 buses that leave St. Petersburg, FL for Tampa, FL on Sat, Jun 20, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 20 the direct buses cover the 29 km distance in an average of 49 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 30 m .
On Sat, Jun 20 the slowest buses will take 1 h 20 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
FlixBus
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FlixBusOmio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from St. Petersburg, FL to Tampa, FL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $7. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 33m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $7, and a ferry costs an average of $13.
Distance: 18 miles (29 km)
Most popular Bus | Ferry | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$9 Average price Cheapest | $13 Average price | $6 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 3m Average total duration Fastest 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 50m Average total duration 50m Onboard + 1h 0m Additional time* | 29m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from St. Petersburg, FL to Tampa, FL:
A bus is $4 (€4) less than a ferry for this route with tickets for a ferry from St. Petersburg, FL to Tampa, FL costing on average $13 (€11).
Other travel options to Tampa, FL take longer:
Ferry takes on average 50m.
You'll arrive about -1h -4m sooner (33m by bus vs 29m by car) and save roughly $-3.58 (€-2.93) compared to fuel and tolls ($9 (€7) vs $6 (€5)). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by FlixBus, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:45AM | Arrival Time 01:45AM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:05AM | Arrival Time 01:35AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $12 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:45PM | Arrival Time 02:20PM | Duration 0h35 | Departure days Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:10PM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 1h20 | Departure days Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:35PM | Arrival Time 06:10PM | Duration 0h35 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:10PM | Arrival Time 07:50PM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:55PM | Arrival Time 09:05PM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:20PM | Arrival Time 10:20PM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $7 |
The table below shows live departures for St. Petersburg, FL to Tampa, FL buses for today, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 3:10 PM Saint Petersburg, Central Avenue N / Dr Martin Luther King St Jr, FL | 0h40 | 3:50 PM Tampa, Marion Transit Center | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 3:10 PM Saint Petersburg, Central Avenue N / Dr Martin Luther King St Jr, FL | 1h20 | 4:30 PM Tampa, USF Holly Drive (Central Plant), FL | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 9:20 PM Saint Petersburg, Central Avenue N / Dr Martin Luther King St Jr, FL | 1h00 | 10:20 PM Tampa, USF Holly Drive (Central Plant), FL | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 9:20 PM Saint Petersburg, Central Avenue N / Dr Martin Luther King St Jr, FL | 0h30 | 9:50 PM Tampa, Marion Transit Center | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, June 20 | |||||
FlixBus | 1:45 PM Saint Petersburg, Central Avenue N / Dr Martin Luther King St Jr, FL | 0h35 | 2:20 PM Tampa, Marion Transit Center | 0 transfersDirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and ferry prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from St. Petersburg, FL to Tampa, FL run on average 5 times per day, taking around 33m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $7 (€5) if you book in advance.
There are 5 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 07:00, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 18 miles (29 km) distance in 30m.
Distance 18 miles (29 km) |
Average bus duration 33m |
Cheapest ticket price $7 (€5) |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 5 |
Fastest bus 30m |
First bus 7:00 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Discover the best of Tampa — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Tampa trip today.
Modern and classical art museum on the Riverwalk, known for its contemporary exhibitions and prominent downtown setting.
World-famous Salvador Dalí museum across the bay in St. Petersburg, frequently visited from Tampa for its iconic collection and architecture.
Historic museum inside the former Tampa Bay Hotel, showcasing Gilded Age architecture and Tampa history.
Signature waterfront promenade linking museums, parks, and public art, and one of the city's most popular walking areas.
Historic neighborhood famous for brick streets, cigar heritage, nightlife, and distinctive cultural character.
Scenic waterfront boulevard popular for walking, running, and skyline views along Hillsborough Bay.
Tampa’s signature sandwich, traditionally layered with Cuban bread, roast pork, ham, salami, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard, then pressed hot. The salami reflects the city’s Italian influence in Y
A classic Ybor City snack made with spiced crab meat mixed with breadcrumbs, formed into a shell-like shape, breaded, and fried. It reflects Tampa’s cigar-factory immigrant history and is one of the c
A Florida Gulf Coast favorite often found in Tampa, featuring fresh local grouper grilled, blackened, or fried on a bun. It is especially popular for showcasing the region’s seafood.
Iconic fine-dining destination famous for dry-aged steaks, an extensive wine collection, and classic Tampa special-occasion dining.
Historic Ybor City institution known for Spanish-Cuban cuisine, the 1905 Salad, and flamenco performances in a grand old-world setting.
Popular riverfront restaurant serving Florida-inspired dishes, charbroiled oysters, and native-inspired flavors in a lively upscale-casual atmosphere.
Moderate for U.S. travelers. Dining and transport are manageable, while hotels rise in peak season and waterfront areas.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants. USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up taxis, and tip hotel staff USD 2-5. Tips are expected for table service.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from St. Petersburg, FL to Tampa, FL by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Tampa, FL, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most St. Petersburg, FL to Tampa, FL buses use the Saint Petersburg, Central Avenue N / Dr Martin Luther King St Jr to Tampa, Marion Transit Center station pair, with some services arriving at Tampa, USF Holly Drive (Central Plant). Use this guide to compare St. Petersburg, FL and Tampa, FL bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need